Board Member Self Assessment (Siragusa, 2015)
Posted on March 19, 2015 by The Siragusa Foundation
A board member self assessment document from the Siragusa Foundation… Read More
Board decision-making
Finding Common Ground, Valuing Different Views
Posted on January 12, 2012 by Bobbi Hapgood, Chris Renner, Terry Hunt, Tony Macklin
In this candid, behind the scenes look at two family foundations, we explore strategies and techniques to promote civil discourse… Read More
Building a Solid Foundation for Your Family with Mission Statements
Posted on October 13, 2011 by Molly Stranahan, Patricia Angus
What are family mission statements and how do they differ from family foundation mission statements? How do families create these statements and what is a good process for creating one?… Read More
The Art of Intuitive Grantmaking in Family Giving
Posted on March 10, 2011 by Chet Tchozewski
This teleconference explains how family philanthropists can quickly harness their semi-conscious knowledge and experience built over a lifetime to bring informed intelligence to their grant decisions… Read More
Family Boards: Why Can’t We Just All Get Along?
Posted on May 14, 2009 by Judith K. Healey
Every family has occasional disagreements when they engage in grantmaking together. How do you handle such common dilemmas as: family members who disagree on grantmaking, discretionary dollars or payouts; members who act out at board meetings or don’t do their share; a leader that’s not willing to step down; individuals who carry their family baggage or branch differences into the board room?… Read More
Perpetuity is a Long Time
Posted on December 13, 2008 by Daniel Bader, Richard Moore
Most foundations are created in perpetuity, but a growing number are planning to sunset, most for family or program reasons. Some foundations feel strongly that they best serve society by continuing their work over the long haul. Some simply avoid discussing the issue… Read More
Challenges of Board Leadership: What Now and Why?
Posted on March 13, 2008 by Ken Gladish
Good board leadership in the foundation field has become increasingly complex and challenging. It has also become more important than ever. And, in family foundations, trustees and directors are faced with a special set of conditions and circumstances that make their work even more "interesting."… Read More
Family Governance Meets Family Dynamics: Strategies for Successful Joint Philanthropy
Posted on October 28, 2007 by Fredda Herz Brown, Patricia Angus
This Passages issue paper explores the interplay of family dynamics and family governance in family philanthropies, concluding families who think about their governance systems, including how decisions will be made, are less likely to be encumbered by family dynamics than families who begin their philanthropies informally, progressing to formality over time. In addition, families who openly address their underlying internal… Read More
Family Governance: a Primer for Families
Posted on June 8, 2005 by Patricia Angus
Many families working together in philanthropy find that managing the work that must be accomplished as a group can be as complex as the grantmaking itself. Typically, a family’s philanthropy, whether formal or less structured, is only one of a number of ways in which family members interact with one another. In this session, Patricia Angus of Asset Management Advisors… Read More
Generations of Giving: Lessons on Governance and Continuity
Posted on February 25, 2005 by Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D.
For every family member involved in a family foundation or advised fund, there are two fundamental questions: Why are we doing this? And why am I participating? The second in a two-part series, Kelin Gersick presented key lessons on governance and explored questions in the areas of reviewing and reinventing mission, considering family dynamics, and preparing for future generations involvement… Read More